Cooperstown Chamber Marketing Committee Meeting Minutes

Fri Oct 24th, Wilbur Bank Main Street - minutes taken by Scott Dunlop, Chair

Discussion of the entire group included:

1. Progress of the area guide -- sales of ads are surprisingly strong, and ahead of last year for all sizes other than full-page ads. Timeline was outlined for the guide to be in our hands for April 1, 2009. Contrary to plans, some significant ad copy and picture changes must be made. Various committee members have their assignments. Cover is to include the Otesaga in some way (John Bullis commitment). Committee could use more volunteers.

Bottom-line profit of the project is reinforced and all options are on the table, pending final sales. Scott is looking into a freelance sales person - any suggestions/ideas for an outside person are desired.

2. Website -- a "0.50" version of the website home page is available, and was distributed to the attending members - final comments are due by end of Wed Oct 29th for review and assimilation back to GrafiQa - so that we can go live with our "beta" -- the beta is not the final product, but will be a working homepage as we adjust further -- committee wants to get it live, to start testing out 3rd party and banner ads.

ACTION REQUESTED: committee members to review hard or electronic copy of website home page -- to decide on outstanding Variables such as colors and layout.

3. 4U productions. Jim Hilker, Owner, traveled over 2.5hrs from Ithaca to address the committee. Comments, criticisms, and suggestions ensued.

Bottomline - a

business need for a video package is valuable, but in the current format (linked off 4U with banner ads) does not work for members or the chamber. 4U will revisit with the committee via email proposed changes to the program, to offer a faster/seamless video within the browser, and one that is consistent with the high quality "brand" of Cooperstown.

5. Scott presented 3 Affinity Programs to the committee, that come via Venture Capital firm in Mass -- typically our Chamber size would be too small - but due to the prestige of the name, and reputation, these are on the table as win-win - options that would strengthen membership benefits, and help us in Internally marketing the chamber. These included a Discount Gas credit card, a wireless center discount (cell phones) and online print. Discussion ensued. Hardcopy of presentation documents were given to Becky, the VP, for review with the Executive Director and the Executive Committee members.

Final recommendation of the Marketing committee is upcoming.

Next meeting TBD, pending

Respectfully submitted,

Scott Dunlop